I got this email this morning and thought I would pass the info on to those who want to take a look. The info is geared to the US so some things may need further research if you don’t live in the US but I think most might be very helpful to some.
The International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is proud to welcome STARTING OUT IN MAINSTREAM AMERICA by Livia Bardin, an online resource for people who have left cults, their families and friends, and professionals working to help them.
Online at http://startingout.icsa.name .
Starting Out is a compendium of information ranging from practical needs like how to get a photo ID or a copy of a high school diploma, to cultural catch-up, like types of popular music or quotations from classic movies, to concepts like relationships with others. There are detailed sections on basics like health, education, careers, and money management, as well as consumer tips on subjects from housing to selecting a doctor or counselor. Sections on “Parenting After the Cult” and “Teenagers on Their Own,” focus on the needs of younger people who have left cults. Though oriented to those living in the U.S., Starting Out contains much that will be useful to people in all countries.
Author Livia Bardin, M.S.W., is a social worker who has specialized in research on cults and the experiences of cult victims. Her book, Coping with Cult Involvement, focuses on families with loved ones in cults. Her research on the experiences of children in cults has been published in the Cultic Studies Review and the Journal of Public Child Welfare.
Available online only, Starting Out is accessible to anyone and sections are downloadable free of charge. Users are prohibited from selling or charging for information downloaded from the site.